What are the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder?I

I've been studying symptoms of bipolar, but would love to hear more signs to look for?After spending 2-1/2 years with my now husband, what I thought was eccentricities may very well be additional bipolar signs. Examples are taking things around the house that belong to others and saying he doesn't have them-not to use, but just because; connecting with women on facebook or by email with no apparent intention of ever meeting them; bad language and lots of criticism, especially to me and my nine year old daughter (I know he can control a lot of it, because he never behaves that way around his mother). He was single for over 25 years before we married-does a bipolar sense a certain tolerance of an individual and maybe latch on to that person, who will put up, as I have, with a lot of unacceptable behavior? He is now taking Seraquel xl 50mg, which seems to make him sleepy earlier at night. I keep holding out hope that this medication will work if he stays on it. I insisted that he tell me out loud that he knows he has this disorder and needs this medication. He said yes, but what about the behavior of the rest of the family... I pray things will work out for us and I don't really know what a reasonable time would be to expect any significant change. Any further insight would be so much appreciated. God bless you all.

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Anonymous26 Jul 2010

Some of the things you have said are not bipolar symptoms, I actually dont no what they are. He just has a problem with the internet I'd say.He may very well also another mental illness because of the things hes taking and says its not his. I am bipolar, have anxiety, insomnia, OPSTD and they say Borderline Personality Disorder..I want you to look that up as well please. Its too hard to explain. And about the serequel, that should be taken at bedtime, did the psychiatrist prescribe him that and not tell him, one of the uses besides bipolar is for sleep. 2-3 weeks after starting the serequel you might see a change., but what else is he on?These are some symptoms straight from the NIMH site for you..

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include: Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:Mood Changes

* A long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood * Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling "jumpy" or "wired."

Behavioral Changes

* Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts * Being easily distracted * Increasing goal-directed activities, such as taking on new projects * Being restless * Sleeping little * Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities * Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable, high-risk behaviors, such as spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investments.

Mood Changes

* A long period of feeling worried or empty * Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex.

Behavioral Changes

* Feeling tired or "slowed down" * Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions * Being restless or irritable * Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits * Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide.

The cause of bipolar disorder is not entirely known. Genetic, neurochemical and environmental factors probably interact at many levels to play a role in the onset and progression of bipolar disorder. The current thinking is that this is a predominantly biological disorder that occurs in a specific part of the brain and is due to a malfunction of the neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain). As a biological disorder, it may lie dormant and be activated spontaneously or it may be triggered by stressors in life.

GeneticsBipolar disorder tends to be familial, meaning that it “runs in families.” About half the people with bipolar disorder have a family member with a mood disorder, such as depression.

Environmental FactorsA life event may trigger a mood episode in a person with a genetic disposition for bipolar disorder.

Even without clear genetic factors, altered health habits, alcohol or drug abuse, or hormonal problems can trigger an episode.Among those at risk for the illness, bipolar disorder is appearing at increasingly early ages. This apparent increase in earlier occurrences may be due to underdiagnosis of the disorder in the past. This change in the age of onset may be a result of social and environmental factors that are not yet understood.

People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.

Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods rather than discrete episodes of depression or mania.

There is no cure for bipolar disorder,but it can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Like eclipse said, it doesen't sound like Bipolar Disorder. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar since 1988. I to think it sounds like Borderline Personalty Disorder. See if he will go to a psyc. It takes more than a couple of visits to a regular Dr. A good psyc can evaluate him. Then try to find a combo of drugs to help. It can take a while for the fact that most drugs take 3-4 weeks to take full affect. Good Luck and God Bless.

Some of the items I agree are bi-polar. The risky behavior that I promise will increase and soon there will be phone calls and meetings.

The other behaviors, the insults are control issues. My husband has both as well and because of something that happened a few months ago, has to attend control and abuse classes for 26 weeks.

PLEASE seek help from a counselor. It wont get better. The control issues are character issues and there are reason for those that you and your wonderful child did not create. He needs help, but first he must admit to the problems.

My husband HAD to leave for 3 months with no contact for him to wake up, don't do that to you and your child.